Tourism in Finnish Lapland has become the main income source of employment and income replacing traditional industries such as forestry. Development from a period of extractive industry to an industrial society has come about quickly. In 1950 the largest part of Lapland’s inhabitants lived in rural areas and more than half the workforce worked in forestry and agriculture. Today 65 % of the workforce are in the service industry, 22 % in processing and 10 % in primary production.

This huge growth in tourism and service provision has been developed in conjunction with a long-term sustainable tourism plan with one of the primary objectives being to maintain nature in its natural state while guaranteeing the traditional way of life. Much of this has been achieved along with membership of EU development programmes, aimed at diversifying sources of livelihood, effective usage of resources and to increase export.

Approximately a quarter of Lapland's 100 000 strong workforce was unemployed in 1997. Promoting entrepreneurship, ongoing re-education of the workforce and development of the educational system to suit the needs of enterprises is continuing. The target is to diversify the sources of livelihood, increase the value of refinement production and develop new enterprises particularly in the area of tourism. National measures as well as EU-programme measures support this objective.

We embrace this philosophy, employing local activity providers and using only locally owned hotels. In this manner we help to maintain jobs in an area where unemployment was, until recently, very high. Additionally, the use of local suppliers ensures that the tourism spend filters through to local economies via the tourism multiplier effect.

Sunday: Flights, arrival and introduction

Your adventure starts at dinner on Sunday evening when there will be a meeting with your guide who will brief you on the activities ahead.

Monday: Reindeer safari and guided tour of the area

You head to a local reindeer farm where you learn about reindeer herding before a 12km safari through the winter landscape – a fabulous introduction to the area. Next it’s on to Levi and the fells that surround the resort for a guided tour before heading back to Hotel Kittila for dinner.

Tuesday: Cross country skiing

Kittila’s cross country skiing trails start close to the hotel. After initial instruction, your excursion will take you through snowy forests before returning for lunch at the hotel. Approximately 2 to 3 hours.

The afternoon is free for shopping in Kittila or why not try your hand (or foot!) at snowshoeing?

Wednesday: Snowmobile safari to Lainio Snow Village

Today will be unforgettable. Your guides will show you how to drive your snowmobile and ensure that you understand all the safety signals before following the trails to Lainio Snow Village. At the village (lovingly created by our good friend Rami) you will find snow sculptures, an ice bar and restaurant and the snow castle. After lunch you follow the snow covered route back to Kittila completing a circuit of around 80km.

Thursday: Free day or optional activities

Today you are free to relax or why not try downhill skiing at nearby Levi? You could even try out your new found Nordic skills and hire cross country skis for the day.

Friday: Husky safari

It’s difficult to describe the awesome sense of space as you drive your team through this vast and silent landscape. It is certainly something you will never forget. After a short transfer to the husky farm you will be introduced to the dogs and be taught how to handle the sled before leaving on a 5 hour safari. Everybody gets their own team of 4 to 6 huskies who will pull you across frozen rivers, through snowy forests and over expansive winter landscapes.

Saturday: Free day, optional activities or Lainio Snow Village

It’s been a pretty busy few days so you may just want to relax but most people choose to try their favourite activity again. They can be booked and paid for locally, simply ask your guides for advice. You could also choose to return to Lainio Snow Village for a night in a snow room.

Sunday: Departure, transfers and flights

Kittila is situated 200kms north of the Arctic Circle and surrounded by seemingly limitless winter wilderness. We defy even the most seasoned traveller not to feel a twinge of excitement and anticipation as the plane descends into Kittila Airport.

Add in a snowcastle, cross-country skiing, husky, reindeer and snowmobile safaris and you have all the ingredients for a fabulous winter holiday here in the heart of Lapland.

Our winter adventure in Kittila has become a firm favourite, so much so that one client suggested "it should be made compulsory".

Suitable for anybody aged 8 years or over.